Athing Mu-Nikolayev, known professionally as Athing Mu, is an American middle-distance runner of South Sudanese descent who became the youngest woman to hold both Olympic and World titles in an individual track event.

Best known for her 800 metres gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships, along with the American record of 1:54.97, she remains one of the most accomplished athletes of her generation in the middle distances.

Athing Mu
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Athing Mu-Nikolayev
Stage Name:	Athing Mu
Born:	8 June 2002 (age 24 years old)
Place of Birth:	Trenton, New Jersey, United States
Nationality:	American
Height:	1.78 m
Parents:	Aluel Lual, Deng Mu
Siblings:	6
Spouse:	Yegor Nikolayev
Relationship:	Married
Occupation:	Track and field athlete, Middle-distance runner
Net Worth:	$1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Athing Mu came into the world on 8 June 2002 in Trenton, New Jersey. Of Black South Sudanese descent and raised in a Christian household by her parents, Aluel Lual and Deng Mu, who immigrated to the United States from South Sudan, she is the second youngest of seven siblings consisting of four brothers and two sisters.

She attended Trenton Central High School and later enrolled at Texas A&M University, where she competed as a collegiate athlete before turning professional.

Career

Athing Mu began running at a young age with the Trenton Track Club under coach Al Jennings.

She quickly established herself as a prodigy, setting the world under-20 indoor record in the 600 metres in 2019 and winning gold at the Pan American U20 Championships.

At Texas A&M she set multiple collegiate records, including in the 400 metres and 800 metres, and claimed an NCAA outdoor 400 metres title in 2021.

Her senior breakthrough came that same year when she won the U.S. Olympic Trials 800 metres in a national record of 1:56.07.

At the Tokyo Olympics she claimed gold in the 800 metres in 1:55.21, becoming the first American woman to win the event since 1968, and added a second gold as the anchor of the victorious 4 × 400 metres relay team.

In 2022 she became the first American woman to win the World Championship 800 metres title, edging Keely Hodgkinson in Eugene.

She lowered the American record to 1:54.97 in 2023 and earned bronze at the World Championships in Budapest.

Subsequent seasons brought injury challenges, including a fall at the 2024 Olympic Trials that prevented qualification for Paris.

After marrying and relocating, she returned to competition in 2025 while continuing to rank among the top American middle-distance runners and holding the national 800 metres record.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @athiiing
• Twitter/X Handle: @athiiing

Personal Life

Athing Mu is married to Yegor Nikolayev, a Russian middle-distance runner, whom she wed in a private ceremony in March 2025 after becoming engaged in September 2024.

She was previously in a relationship with fellow American middle-distance runner Brandon Miller. The couple has no children.

Mu has spoken publicly about the positive impact of her marriage on her personal stability and renewed enjoyment of the sport while maintaining a strong Christian faith.

Net Worth

Athing Mu has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.

Her primary sources of income include prize money from Olympic and World Championship performances, a professional contract and endorsements with major brands such as Nike, appearance fees, and commercial opportunities stemming from her status as an Olympic and World champion.

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